Kitchens specialist Aga Foodservice cut the size of its business today after agreeing the £260m (€372m) sale of its commercial equipment arm.

Kitchen equipment group Aga Foodservice today posted a 5% rise in half-year profits boosted by strong sales of its Rangemaster cookers.

Kitchens group Aga Foodservice said today it was considering a move to spin off its catering equipment business.

The promise of a windfall for shareholders caused shares in industrial conglomerate Smiths to jump by more than 13% today.

A disappointing update from British Airways left investors in subdued mood today as the London market struggled for direction.

The London market finished just below its opening mark today following a mixed session for leading shares as fears of an imminent interest rate rise across the Atlantic loomed again.

Shares in British Airways rose 2% today as airline services showed signs of returning to normal following Thursday’s terror alert.

An upbeat start to trading across the Atlantic drove the FTSE 100 Index to a positive finish today.

The London market maintained its strong run today as investors continued to draw encouragement from recent earnings updates in the US.

Britain’s top shares dived into the red today as investors pondered the prospect of all-out war in the Middle East.

The FTSE 100 Index slid further into the red today as investors withdrew from stock markets around the world amid fears over inflation and the impact of a weak US dollar.

The FTSE 100 Index was deep in the red for a second successive session today - despite the best efforts of top flight companies BT and Vodafone.

The London market today closed at levels not seen since the summer of 2001 as upbeat earnings from Enterprise Inns cushioned some shock news in the energy sector.

Catering equipment maker Enodis restored its annual dividend today and dispelled fears that trading in its largest market had taken a turn for the worse.

The London market ended today firmly in the black after overcoming fresh concerns about interest rates.

Hopes of a sustained rally by London shares disappeared today as concerns over the strength of the United States economy returned to haunt investors.

The FTSE 100 Index drifted lower today as a lack of major corporate news and a subdued session in New York combined to keep investors on the sidelines.

The London market is holding its ground despite a disappointing session for tech and telecom stocks.

The FTSE-100 Index staged a welcome rally today, surging back to 5403.4. That's a rise of 88.6 points.